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Letter, 'Observations on a comet (Caroline Herschel's of 21 December 1788)' from William Herschel to Joseph Banks

Reference number: L&P/9/123

Date: 1789

Description

Subject: Astronomy

Published in Philosophical Transactions, as 'Observations on a comet. In a letter from William Herschel, LL. D F. R. S. to Sir Joseph Banks, Bart. P. R. S'

Read 2 April 1789

Reference number
L&P/9/123
Earliest possible date
1789
Physical description
Ink on paper
Page extent
4 pages
Format
Manuscript

Creator names

William Herschel

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Caroline Lucretia Herschel

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Citation

William Herschel, Caroline Lucretia Herschel, Letter, 'Observations on a comet (Caroline Herschel's of 21 December 1788)' from William Herschel to Joseph Banks, 1789, L&P/9/123, The Royal Society Archives, London, https://makingscience.royalsociety.org/items/l-and-p_9_123/letter-observations-on-a-comet-caroline-herschels-of-21-december-1788-from-william-herschel-to-joseph-banks, accessed on 23 May 2025

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  • Letters and Papers

    'Letters and Papers' contains the scientific correspondence sent to the Royal Society through the 18th century, many of which were published in its journal.

    Dates: 1741 - 1806

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